Plant physiology

About: Plant physiology is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1537 publications have been published within this topic receiving 72038 citations.

Distribution of vanadium and its influence on chlorophyll formation and iron metabolism in tomato plants

Abstract: Distribution of vanadium and its influence on growth, chlorophyll formation and certain aspects of iron metabolism were studied in tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. ‘Walter). Vanadium in the nutrient solution increased plant height, weight, number of leaves, and number of flowers. Vanadium also enhanced chlorophyll formation and Fe metabolism in tomato plants, and increased the Hill reaction activity of isolated chloroplasts.

miR156 modulates rhizosphere acidification in response to phosphate limitation in Arabidopsis.

Abstract: Rhizosphere acidification is a general response to Pi deficiency, especially in dicotyledonous plants. However, the signaling pathway underlying this process is still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that miR156 is induced in the shoots and roots of wild type Arabidopsis plants during Pi starvation. The rhizosphere acidification capacity was increased in 35S:MIR156 (miR156 overexpression) plants, but was completely inhibited in 35S:MIM156 (target mimicry) plants. Both 35S:MIR156 and 35S:MIM156 plants showed altered proton efflux and H(+)-ATPase activity. In addition, significant up-regulation of H(+)-ATPase activity in 35S:MIR156 roots coupled with increased citric acid and malic acid exudates was observed. qRT-PCR results showed that most H(+)-ATPase and PPCK gene transcript levels were decreased in 35S:MIM156 plants, which may account for the decreased H(+)-ATPase activity in 35S:MIM156 plants. MiR156 also affect the root architecture system. Collectively, our results suggest that miR156 regulates the process of rhizosphere acidification in plants.